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Time difference between Nairobi and Chicago

Chicago is 8 hours behind Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya is UTC+3 · Chicago, the United States is UTC−6 — on standard time

The gap is not the same all year

Every converter gives one number for this pair. That number is right for most of the year and wrong for part of it, because Nairobi does not change its clocks and Chicago goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.

Nairobi / Chicago clocksDifferenceHow long
standard / summer8 hours behindabout 34 weeks — most of the year
standard / standard9 hours behindabout 18 weeks

Nairobi stays put all year while Chicago moves, so the gap changes twice a year from Chicago's side alone. A recurring meeting set in Nairobi's calendar will drift by an hour without anyone touching it.

When they can both be at their desks

Nine-to-five in Nairobi and nine-to-five in Chicago do not overlap at all. With 8 hours between them, one side is always outside working hours, and the practical question is which side takes the early start or the late finish rather than when to meet.

Nairobi to Chicago, hour by hour

NairobiChicago
12:00 AM4:00 PM (previous day)
1:00 AM5:00 PM (previous day)
2:00 AM6:00 PM (previous day)
3:00 AM7:00 PM (previous day)
4:00 AM8:00 PM (previous day)
5:00 AM9:00 PM (previous day)
6:00 AM10:00 PM (previous day)
7:00 AM11:00 PM (previous day)
8:00 AM12:00 AM
9:00 AM1:00 AM
10:00 AM2:00 AM
11:00 AM3:00 AM
12:00 PM4:00 AM
1:00 PM5:00 AM
2:00 PM6:00 AM
3:00 PM7:00 AM
4:00 PM8:00 AM
5:00 PM9:00 AM
6:00 PM10:00 AM
7:00 PM11:00 AM
8:00 PM12:00 PM
9:00 PM1:00 PM
10:00 PM2:00 PM
11:00 PM3:00 PM

On the usual gap of 8 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between Nairobi and Chicago?

Chicago is 8 hours behind Nairobi for most of the year. It is not the same all year — there is one other gap, because Nairobi does not change its clocks and Chicago goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.

Is Chicago ahead of Nairobi?

No — Chicago is 8 hours behind. Nairobi is UTC+3 and Chicago is UTC−6 on standard time.

What time is 9 AM in Nairobi in Chicago?

1:00 AM, on the usual gap.

When can Nairobi and Chicago meet?

Nine-to-five in Nairobi and nine-to-five in Chicago do not overlap at all. One side has to take the call outside working hours, and with 8 hours between them it is worth deciding in advance which side that is.

Other pairs

Every Nairobi pair · Every Chicago pair · All city pairs · Time zones by abbreviation